Chapter 48

# Chapter 48: <By Accident>

A week later, Kai stepped down from the carriage. The carriage he got out of was adorned with the golden turtle emblem of the Hennitus family.

"It's been a while."

Kai agreed with the words of the black dragon that echoed in his mind.

Kai was now in the Capital's Square of Glory. To the north of the square, a large curtain surrounded the area that had been destroyed by the explosion, as part of the reconstruction efforts.

Kai walked straight ahead toward his position. Soon, the deputy commander and knights of the Hennitus family's knight corps followed him, forming a protective circle around him.

At that moment, chilling words reached Kai's ears as he walked.

"Oh, Silver Prince!"

"Shield Prince!"

Kai's face instantly crumpled.

"Ahem, ahem."

Kai frowned as he saw the deputy commander, who was straightening his shoulders and clearing his throat, smirking at him. The deputy commander then leaned in and whispered in Kai's ear.

"They call you the Silver Prince. Ahem, it's only natural that great people are given proud names."

Damn. Kai swallowed the harsh words that were about to burst out.

"Silver Prince" and "Shield Prince." He wished he could avoid hearing such embarrassing and cringeworthy names. However, Kai knew that this was the result of the crown prince suppressing the rumors, so he didn't say anything about it.

He only quietly said to the deputy commander, who was shrugging his shoulders.

"Wouldn't anyone stop calling me that if I just had a drink and acted like I usually do here?"

"Ahem, ahem!"

The deputy commander couldn't answer and turned his head away. Kai's lips curled up slightly in relief, but he quickly wiped the smile off his face. It was because of the deputy commander's next words.

"Since your body hasn't fully recovered, it's best to avoid alcohol."

Kai was still officially ill and not fully recovered.

He had overused the ancient power beyond his capabilities, injuring himself, but thanks to that, he miraculously prevented the magic bomb from exploding.

This miraculous story, of course, came from the mouth of Crown Prince Albert. Therefore, the Hennitus family's retainers in the capital were extremely devoted to protecting the ailing Kai.

Of course, it wasn't just in the capital. Kai thought of Baron Dert, who had tried to come up from the estate a few days ago. He had spoken to Kai through the communication device.

"Kai. Did you see their faces? I'll kill them all for you. How dare they, when you can't even wield a sword!"

Even though he knew Kai had obtained an ancient power, Baron Dert, who judged Kai as weak for not being as skilled with a sword as his younger sister, had said this.

"Our Hennitus family isn't weak. Remember that. We've been patient because we are strong. No one will touch you because of this incident."

Lady Violan, Baron Dert's wife, had said this while trying to calm him down. And it seemed to be true, as no nobles sent letters or visited Kai after he returned to his mansion from the castle. Even Eric and his group didn't come.

'Thanks to that, it was good.'

Kai had spent that time very productively. As he walked forward, Kai encountered a knight and a soldier guarding the entrance.

"Ah, Prince Kai."

"Do I need to verify my identity?"

In response to Kai's question, the knight shook his head and courteously let him through. From here on, Kai had to go in alone. The entry was controlled much more strictly than during the previous birthday celebration, but Kai was an exception.

"Prince, you can go in."

"Alright, thank you. Good work."

"...Yes!"

Kai patted the knight's shoulder, thinking about how hard he must be working, and entered the entrance. The knight watched his back for a long time.

Kai continued to walk without hesitation.

Square of Glory.

Today, the king was to honor the fallen and award medals to some individuals. Those who would receive the medals would be given the right to stand next to the king in this square.

Kai arrived at his position, dressed in a cleaner black suit than usual.

"Kai."

"Brother, you came early."

Kai smiled at Eric Welsman, who had called him, and took his place.

A place where noble heirs gathered. Kai stood there.

Eric Welsman, of course, and other noble heirs like Amir and Gilbert, looked at him without saying a word. They all had heard the news about Kai.

Kai Hennitus had refused the medal, a symbol of honor, and had given it to someone else.

Moreover, he had attended this event despite his body not being fully recovered.

Amir Ubar looked at Kai. Kai was looking up at the sky.

"The weather is really nice, isn't it? It's as if it's for those who have passed away."

Kai's red hair fluttered in the wind, contrasting with his black suit. Amir smiled faintly at his usual calm demeanor.

"It seems to be because of your heart, Prince."

"My heart?"

Kai looked at Amir with a puzzled expression, wondering what he meant. Amir just smiled calmly and warmly in response to Kai's reaction. Although Kai found it strange, he said what he had to say.

"Are you leaving today?"

"Yes. You're leaving tomorrow, right? I'll see you at the estate."

Kai was going to Ubar, the estate of Amir's family.

"Yes. I want to see the sea."

"Is it for recuperation?"

"Yes, I guess."

Recuperation, indeed. He was going to become stronger with his healthy body. But Kai nodded calmly and added,

"Not just for that, though."

"Ah, right."

Amir and Gilbert, who were listening, and Eric all smiled. It was a smile similar to Kai's. After today, one piece of news would likely reach the ears of the nobles.

The development and investment in the northeastern coastal military base. This news would spread. Therefore, Amir and Gilbert were leaving the capital in a hurry tonight. To prevent unnecessary rumors and because both the royal family and they wanted to proceed quickly.

Of course, it was possible because the Hennitus family had agreed to lend a large sum of money to Amir and Gilbert's estates. And because of this, Kai had a reason to visit Amir and Gilbert's estates.

'Kai, we will send someone from our family, but since you're going, take a look as well.'

"Father, wouldn't it be better to send an expert instead of me?"

"The more eyes, the better."

Kai accepted Baron Dert's request.

"Please take care."

"Please take care, Prince."

Kai waved his hand as if to say not to worry and looked forward. King Jed appeared.

The memorial and medal award ceremony began.

King Jed spoke with a more powerful voice than usual. The square was as crowded as last week, but the atmosphere was completely different. It was solemn.

"We have gathered here again to show that we will never cower in fear."

King Jed had once again called the citizens of the kingdom to the square. It was a warning and a show of strength to the enemy. King Jed looked around the square from the highest platform and said,

"Many people have shown brave actions. Thanks to them, we have been able to protect this land, as in the history of our kingdom."

At that moment, Kai felt as if he had made eye contact with the king, but he hoped it wasn't true. He subtly turned his gaze to the sky beyond the king, remembering the words of the black dragon.

'Sun god's blessing? I can't feel any divine power from such insignificant humans. The only unusual one is the crown prince.'

There was no divine power passed down to the Crossman royal family. Another useless truth Kai had learned, and he decided to pretend he didn't know anything. The black dragon flapped its wings excitedly, agreeing to keep it a secret between the two of them.

"In that sense, I will also award medals to those who have shown brave actions this time!"

King Jed announced the medal award ceremony, and one by one, people came up to receive their medals.

Waaaaa-

The square was filled with cheers, as if the previous somber mood had never existed. The voice of the black dragon echoed in Kai's mind.

-Humans are amazing.

Waaaaa-

The cheers for a knight who received a medal were heard, along with the voice of the black dragon. Kai had a rough idea of what the black dragon found amazing.

But as a human, Kai empathized more with the survivors' feelings than with the black dragon's amazement. Sadness was sadness, and joy was joy.

Clap, clap, clap.

Therefore, he also clapped for those who received medals. The atmosphere was much more relaxed. Everyone enjoyed the medal award ceremony as if it were a festival. The free atmosphere allowed someone to approach Kai.

"Prince Kai."

Kai turned his gaze to the low voice. Many noble heirs had returned to their estates, deeming the capital unsafe due to the terrorist attack. Therefore, there were fewer noble heirs present than before, and one of them approached Kai.

"Why are you doing this, Prince Benyon?"

Benyon Sten. He was still here. Not only him, but the heirs of the noble families from various regions had all stayed.

"I heard you refused the medal. Aren't you disappointed?"

The nobles' gazes, which had been on the platform, turned to Benyon and Kai. Kai didn't know why Benyon, who was now smiling softly, had asked this question or what his intention was.